3 Days Itinerary in Norilsk, Russia - Travel Guide

Days	Description
1	Day 1 - Embrace The Arctic Splendour
2	Day 2 - Exploring The Frozen Wilderness
3	Day 3 - A Cultural Immersion

Introduction

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty and charm of Norilsk, Russia, one of the world's most northernmost cities. Embrace the chilling winter cold and remarkable architectural beauty across a three-day journey. Nestled deep within Siberia, Norilsk isn't your everyday tourist destination. But if you're after an adventure that's truly unique and off the beaten track, this itinerary just might be for you.

Day 1 - Embrace The Arctic Splendour

To begin our journey, we'll touch down in Norilsk Alykel Airport. From there, we'll head straight to the city center, taking in the strikingly unique sight of a city completely built up from the Siberian wilderness. We'll get comfortable in one of the local hotels, then head out for a guided tour of the city's industrial landscape. We'll visit Nornickel, a monumental nickel smelting plant that's essential to the city's economy. Afterwards, we'll warm up with some hearty local cuisine such as 'Pelmeni,' a delicious Russian dumpling. We'll cap off our day with a night tour, seeing the stunning illuminated monuments, like the iconic Norilsk City Council Building.

Day 2 - Exploring The Frozen Wilderness

Putorana Plateau, our first destination of the day, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll start off with a warm breakfast, brace ourselves against the cold, and head for the plateau where we'll hike, snowmobile, and marvel at the untouched beauty of the arctic landscape. After a refreshing lunch, we'll dive into the depths of Norilsk's history by visiting Norilsk Museum. Here we'll explore the intriguing story of Norilsk's founding, its role in Soviet history, and how the demanding climate has shaped the city. To end the evening, we'll warm up in one of the local saunas, a refreshing and invigorating Russian tradition.

Day 3 - A Cultural Immersion

Our last day in Norilsk is all about immersing in its rich culture. We'll start with a visit to the Nadezhda Drama Theatre, Where we'll enjoy a local performance. Next, we'll take a cooking class to learn how to make famous Russian dishes such as Borscht or Blini. Lastly, we'll have a leisurely walk in Ogni Norilska Park, a park warmed by the fire of Norilsk's eternal flame, a memorable symbol of military and labour glory. The adventurous trip ends with some souvenir shopping in the city centre and a heartfelt goodbye to our temporary home in the Arctic North.